In a sweeping critique of Obama’s lead-from-behind foreign policy, Governor Mitt Romney today delivered a powerful, robust foreign policy speech at the Virginia Military Institute.Speaking of the recent explosion of violence and upheaval in the Middle East, Romney said it is “time to change course in the Middle East.”

Punctuating his national security positions before his next presidential debate on October 16th with Obama (foreign policy will be the topic), Romney said, “That course should be organized around these bedrock principles: America must have confidence in our cause, clarity in our purpose and resolve in our might. No friend of America will question our commitment to support them… no enemy that attacks America will question our resolve to defeat them… and no one anywhere, friend or foe, will doubt America’s capability to back up our words.”

Foreign policy expert and columnist, K.T. McFarland, today on television program ‘The Five’ (FOX News) enthusiastically exclaimed, ”I’ve been waiting 20 years for this speech! He [Romney] was channeling Reagan!” She also went on to say Romney’s “speech was actually really phenomenal and I commend him for doing it!” (MccFarland served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs under President Ronald Reagan from 1982 to 1985 and speech writer for Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger.)

‘The Mantel of Leadership’:

Transcript:

I particularly appreciate the introduction from my good friend and tireless campaign companion, Gov. Bob McDonnell. He is showing what conservative leadership can do to build a stronger economy. Thank you also Congressman Goodlatte for joining us today. And particular thanks to Gen. Peay. I appreciate your invitation to be with you today at the Virginia Military Institute. It is a great privilege to be here at an Institution that has done so much for our nation, both in war and in peace.

For more than 170 years, VMI has done more than educate students. It has guided their transformation into citizens, and warriors, and leaders. VMI graduates have served with honor in our nation’s defense, just as many are doing today in Afghanistan and other lands. Since the September 11th attacks, many of VMI’s sons and daughters have defended America, and I mourn with you the 15 brave souls who have been lost. I join you in praying for the many VMI graduates and all Americans who are now serving in harm’s way. May God bless all who serve, and all who have served.

Of all the VMI graduates, none is more distinguished than George Marshall—the Chief of Staff of the Army who became Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense, who helped to vanquish fascism and then planned Europe’s rescue from despair. His commitment to peace was born of his direct knowledge of the awful costs and consequences of war.

General Marshall once said, “The only way human beings can win a war is to prevent it.” Those words were true in his time—and they still echo in ours.

Last month, our nation was attacked again. A U.S. Ambassador and three of our fellow Americans are dead — murdered in Benghazi, Libya. Among the dead were three veterans. All of them were fine men, on a mission of peace and friendship to a nation that dearly longs for both. President Obama has said that Ambassador Chris Stevens and his colleagues represented the best of America. And he is right. We all mourn their loss.

The attacks against us in Libya were not an isolated incident. They were accompanied by anti-American riots in nearly two dozen other countries, mostly in the Middle East, but also in Africa and Asia. Our embassies have been attacked. Our flag has been burned. Many of our citizens have been threatened and driven from their overseas homes by vicious mobs, shouting “Death to America.” These mobs hoisted the black banner of Islamic extremism over American embassies on the anniversary of the September 11th attacks.

As the dust settles, as the murdered are buried, Americans are asking how this happened, how the threats we face have grown so much worse, and what this calls on America to do. These are the right questions. And I have come here today to offer a larger perspective on these tragic recent events—and to share with you, and all Americans, my vision for a freer, more prosperous, and more peaceful world.

After Obama’s comatose debate performance last week, the very next day on the campaign trail, with teleprompter chugging along at full speed, wasn’t it amazing how Obama suddenly became animatedly bright-eyed and chatty? Without missing a beat or showing even a modicum of acknowledgment that he messed up royally, he continued and still continues to lie about Mitt Romney’s economic plan. Despite the fact that news outlets, and even Obama’s Deputy Campaign Manager, Stephanie Cutter, had to admit his false claim, Obama, his campaign officials, and his surrogates continue to flat-out call Romney a liar.

Following his embarrassing, cringe-worthy performance, the President’s immediate day-after-debate mocking of Governor Romney was a “na-na-na-na-na-na” display of petulant, smirky, childish egoism. (Eastwood was right about the empty chair.)

Brazen, boastful Barack…

Obama’s display reveals what a small, character-stunted man he is.

It’s astonishing to behold.

There was no lying from Romney. And, important to note, there was no post-debate gloating from Governor Romney.

New ad:

Here’s a fact Obama doesn’t want you to know: Under his economic plan, taxes will increase on the middle class by $4,000. Add this to your long list of reasons why Americans absolutely cannot afford or stand four more excruciating years of Obama’s fiascoes.

By Michael Ramirez

After nearly four deficient, failed years, Obama is blatantly showing a bit of the worst of himself in a repugnant attempt to convince Americans he now knows what’s best for our broke, broken nation.

Back in 2008, when then-Senator Barack Obama and all his charismatic aura swept onto the national stage as a candidate for President of the United States, he promised a lot of things. Among them, he loudly, proudly, proclaimed he’d bring the USA back to prosperity. Melanie McNamara believed in him. He convinced her. Like many, she voted for him. Three and a half years later, Obama has UNconvinced her.

“In 2008, I voted for Barack Obama. He doesn’t have my vote this time.

Why Mitt Romney? Being a woman, you think about your children and you think about their future. And what I want to think about is a future that has jobs. That our economy’s growing again. That’s important to women and it’s important to me.” – Melanie McNamara

The nearly incomprehensible national debt, over SIXTEEN TRILLION DOLLARS and racing, is a HUGE issue for women. Women are appalled that the back-breaking, crippling, immoral national debt will fall upon the young shoulders of the ones they sacrifice so much for – their children. The next generation will absolutely be clobbered with the crushing responsibility to repay the massive dollars borrowed and squandered by crony-concerned, devil-may-care, back-slapping, unaccountable politicians on Capitol Hill. Obama is chief among them. He’s recklessly added more debt than the first 41 presidents combined.

Let’s take a stroll down memory lane…

Back in 2008, when Obama was finagling for the presidency, he ecstatically pinned the ‘unpatriotic, irresponsible’ label on President George W. Bush for his enlargement of the national debt:

“The problem is, is that the way Bush has done it over the last eight years is to take out a credit card from the Bank of China in the name of our children, driving up our national debt from $5 trillion for the first 42 presidents – #43 added $4 trillion by his lonesome, so that we now have over $9 trillion of debt that we are going to have to pay back — $30,000 for every man, woman and child. That’s irresponsible. It’s unpatriotic.“ – Barack Obama, July 3, 2008

Once ensconced in the Oval Office, Obama put on his heretofore unknown amnesia hat; you know, the one that conveniently makes him forget his promises and do the complete opposite of what he pledged. He couldn’t wait to get his redistributive hands on Uncle Sam’s credit card. Obama couldn’t spend (and waste) fast enough – roughly $6 trillion in 3.5 years.

…[E]very “man, woman and child” now owes over $51,000. Obama’s unanimously-rejected budget would explodes that debt by $11 trillion …(more!) over the next decade. So much for his promises to thoroughly examine federal spending “line by line” to achieve a “net spending cut” while slicing the deficit in half by now. It’s almost as if he just says whatever he thinks will help get him elected, then does whatever he pleases once in office. This must stop. Mitt Romney’s new television ad, entitled “Dear Daughter,” makes the issue of inter-generational theft and reckless government spending very personal:

And, what have Obama’s policies done for women? Another ad from Team Romney/Ryan:

Obama’s policies are making it harder on women.

The poverty rate for women is the highest it has been in 17 years.

Over 5.5 million women are unemployed and their individual share of debt is over $50,000.

Fellow Americans, if you truly care about your children’s future, you must reject Barack Obama and Joe Biden. It’s okay to let them go. Don’t let them continue to steal the future from America’s children. You must vote for the two men who know how to get our economy going again, with rising salaries, and who will work with all their might to lower, not increase, our national debt.

In spite of all the post-debate lies coming from sucker-punched Obama and cohorts that Romney lied, Governor Romney’s preparation, performance, and facts/truth sharing was outstanding. Michael Reagan said again today on FOX News, “Romney gave the best debate performance since LINCOLN.”

After Governor Mitt Romney cleaned Obama’s clock at the first presidential debate in Denver, America’s Comeback Team, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, took time out from campaigning yesterday to talk with FOX News’ Sean Hannity. Here’s the interview:

We’ve seen the palpable, patriotic energy that exists between Romney and Ryan; it’s always great to see them together. Also evident is that they understand and respect each other. Competence recognizes competence. Mitt and Paul also genuinely enjoy each other’s company and that, combined with holding the House and taking back the Senate, is going to make for an outstanding, productive presidency. How fortunate we are that they are a dynamic, dynamite duo! Democrats are stuck with their two dingbats. No fluke the two of them ended up together; a knave needs another knave to cover his tracks. And, one can’t speak without a teleprompter and the other can’t be prompted to shut up.

Obama and Biden are conspiring, failed desperadoes. Without a blink, they and their fellow conspirators keep churning out lie after lie to hide that fact.

Romney/Ryan’s competence and commitment to actually solve the plethora of grievous problems Obama/Biden have foisted on us – to strengthening the principles our nation was founded on and making life better for 100 per cent of the American people – is the message we MUST broadcast non-stop.

Post debate Oct 3, 2012- While Mitt Romney gathers his notes, the reality of the past 90 debate minutes sinks into Michelle and Barack Obama as they prepare to leave the stage. University of Denver, CO
(Photo – David Goldmann:AP)

What a difference 90 minutes makes!

It was a Rocky Mountain mauling in the mile-high city last night.

If you missed Mitt Romney’s masterful message to the American people during his first presidential debate between himself and President Obama in Denver, Colorado, here it is:

The day after the first presidential debate of 2012 in Denver, CO, this headline from the Boston Herald says it all… (Oct 4, 2012)

I was going to begin this article by saying Governor Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama went eyeball to eyeball last night in Denver, but that wasn’t the case. It was a night of Romney focusing on Obama, looking directly into his eyes, while Obama’s eyes were oft-times focused… downward… as if he was willing the lectern to morph into his teleprompter. And, in my opinion, as if he knew Romney was on to him. The Boston Herald headline above encapsulates the evening.

Romney seemed to relish the opportunity to speak to Americans without the filter of the nefarious news media. He was the man we know and admire – very well-prepared, precise, focused, in control, filled with conviction and compassion, showed humor, aggressive while affable, and was completely at ease.

Obama was flat, subdued, distracted, passive, at times churlish and bewildered that his royal-highness-stature-and-personality wasn’t cutting the mustard. At one point Obama asked moderator Jim Lehrer to move off a topic (a first!).

From the get-go, Obama attempted to set the campaign narrative as not what has happened in the last four years, but what will happen if he’s given four MORE years. He couldn’t be standing on shakier, flakier ground.

Some Obama proponents today are claiming moderator Jim Lehrer was weak or favored Romney. Not so. Obama was given four more minutes of speaking time – over Romney. The Governor delivered far more substance in his allotted time than Obama with his extra OVERtime. And, Lehrer appeared at times to attempt to coach Obama via his questions, trying to prompt him to give a more cogent response.

Last night’s debate aptly illustrated by Gary Varvel, Oct 4, 2012

Clash of the titans? The only titan present in this race is Mitt Romney.

I’m delighted at what is being said about the Duel in Denver (from Mitt Romney Press):

ABC News’ Jake Tapper: “It Was Not A Strong Performance By [President Obama].” ABC’s JAKE TAPPER: “Well, I’ve covered President Obama for about six or seven years now and I’ve seen him inspire crowds of tens of thousands and then I also recall the summer of 2007 when he was listless and flat and uninspired and his campaign manager had to knock some sense in him and get him back in the game. Unfortunately for the Obama campaign that’s the Obama I saw on the stage tonight. It was not a strong performance by him.” (ABC, 10/3/12)

Politico’s Glenn Thrush: “How Tough A Night Was It For The Incumbent? He Even Muffed Some Of The Basics Of Debate 101…” “How tough a night was it for the incumbent? He even muffed some of the basics of Debate 101, struggling to find the right camera to address once or twice during the mostly civil 90-minute exchange.” (Politico, 10/3/12)

Time’s Mark Halperin: “A Performance That Will Both Delight The Republican Base And Make Undecided Voters Take Note. Was The Dominant Figure On The Stage On Almost Every Exchange.” (Time , 10/3/12)

ABC News’ Russell Goldman: “Romney Came Out Swinging In The First Presidential Debate…” “Mitt Romney came out swinging in the first presidential debate, challenging President Obama over his health care reforms, treatment of the economy, taxes and funding for Sesame Street’s Big Bird.” (ABC News, 10/3/12)

BuzzFeed’s Michael Hastings: “For Weeks, President Obama’s Advisers Have Been Lowering Expectations … Maybe The Expectations Weren’t Low Enough.” “For weeks, President Obama’s advisers have been lowering expectations for the debate tonight, both privately and publicly forecasting that the Commander in Chief could deliver a dud. Maybe the expectations weren’t low enough.” (BuzzFeed, 10/3/12)

Time’s Joe Klein: “Mitt Romney Won This Debate. Barack Obama Lost It. I Mean, He Got His Butt Kicked.” “Well, I’m with all the other talking heads: Mitt Romney won this debate. Barack Obama lost it. I mean, he got his butt kicked. It was, in fact, one of the most inept performances I’ve ever seen by a sitting President.” (Time , 10/3/12)

Bloomberg’s Ramesh Ponnuru: “Romney Made The Most Focused Appeal To Middle-Class Voters On The Basis Of How His Agenda Would Help Them…” “Romney made the most focused appeal to middle-class voters on the basis of how his agenda would help them — on energy, on health care, on jobs — that he ever has.” (Bloomberg, 10/4/12)

Click on this image to download a printable PDF with 5 different Bingo card options.

How to win prizes with BINGO:
1-Download the PDF (click image) and print one of the five cards. I don’t suggest using card 5 :)
2-Mark off the words/phrases as Obama says them.
3-When you get Bingo leave a comment on this post. “Yell” BINGO, state which card you used, and which 5 phrases used gave you the Bingo. (Be sure to use the blog comment form, not the Facebook comments.)4-The first 5 winners will get prizes. The comments are sorted by time-stamp, but since first-time commentors need to be moderated their posts may not show immediately, but when they’re approved they’ll show up in the right slot. Be sure to include your email address so we can contact you about shipping your hard-earned winnings!

Prizes:
The prizes all come from our Romney/Ryan 2012 Store.1st: Choice of any 2 shirts, and 3 stickers2nd through 5th: 1 free shirt and 1 sticker

If you hear Obama use a phrase tonight like, “Our businesses have gone back to basics and created over 4 million jobs in the last 27 months, more private sector jobs than were created during the entire seven years before this crisis — in a little over two years,” you can know that although it’s technically true, it is still just a big lie. Truths that are lies, we’ll hear plenty of those from Obama tonight.

If you don’t know what I mean, you didn’t watch the video.

~Nate G.

PS – come back tonight for the debate, we will have a live video embed, live chat, and debate bingo with prizes for the winners – all right here on our front page.